The most important facts in brief
- Definition: GEMA-free music does not mean free of charge, but that the licence fees go directly to the authors, without going through GEMA.
- Well-known works: These include public domain classics by composers such as Mozart or Beethoven whose copyright has expired.
- Modern alternatives: Professional production music covers all modern genres from pop to lounge and is of high quality.
- Cost savings: Companies can save up to 100 % of GEMA fees by using GEMA-free music.
- Legal certainty: Reputable providers supply a certificate that confirms that the music is legally GEMA-free for your business.
- Professional solutions: Systems such as sonicsense offer curated, industry-specific GEMA-free channels that can be played via streaming or hardware.
Are you looking for the perfect background music for your business, but the annual GEMA bill is giving you a headache? The search for well-known GEMA-free music is an important step for many entrepreneurs to reduce costs and be on the safe side legally. But what is really behind this term and is this music a real alternative to the well-known radio hits? The answer is a resounding yes - if you know what to look out for.
What does GEMA-free music really mean
The term „GEMA-free“ is often misunderstood. It does not mean that the music can be used free of charge or without a licence. Rather, it means that the composers and lyricists of the works are not members of GEMA (Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte). Instead of paying the fees to a collecting society, you as the user acquire the licence directly from the artist or a provider who has bundled the rights.
The decisive advantage: you pay a fixed, predictable amount to the provider and are exempt from the often complex and expensive GEMA tariffs. Professional providers will issue you with a certificate that you can present at a GEMA inspection. Discover the advantages of professionally curated music, legally compliant GEMA-free music for your company.
What well-known GEMA-free music is there? An overview
The biggest concern of many tradespeople is that GEMA-free music might be unknown, boring or of inferior quality. This assumption is long outdated. The spectrum is huge and offers the right atmosphere for every industry.
Classics in the public domain
The best-known GEMA-free works come from the „public domain“ category. This usually occurs 70 years after the death of the author (composer, lyricist). The works of giants such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven or Johann Sebastian Bach are therefore GEMA-free and can be performed in public without paying licence fees to GEMA. These pieces are an excellent choice for a classical ambience in a restaurant or hotel lobby.
Modern genres and professional production music
For most companies, modern sounds are more relevant. This is where so-called production music comes into play. These are high-quality compositions that are produced specifically for use in the media and industry. These artists are deliberately not members of a collecting society. The repertoire covers every conceivable genre:
- Lounge & Chillout: Perfect for hotel bars, wellness areas or modern boutiques.
- Pop & charts style: Energetic music reminiscent of current hits, but GEMA-free - ideal for retail outlets or fitness studios.
- Electro & Dance: Driving beats for fitness classes or young fashion concepts.
- Rock & Indie: Authentic sounds for bars, cafés and trendy restaurants.
The term „well-known“ is not defined here by the name of the artist, but by the Quality and stylistic proximity to what your customers know and like.
Your professional in-store music solution
sonicsense gives you access to over 33 curated GEMA-free premium channels that are updated daily. Our simple streaming solution sonicEASY can be booked online and is ready for immediate use. Create the perfect atmosphere - 100 % legally compliant and without GEMA stress.
Beware of typical pitfalls when using music
Many companies believe that they can legally use music in their business simply by playing a private streaming service such as Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube. However, this is a widespread misconception - and can quickly become expensive. These services are licensed exclusively for private, non-public use. Playing music in public in a shop, restaurant or gym constitutes commercial use and is illegal without the appropriate licence.
If GEMA (in the case of music subject to GEMA) or a rights holder (in the case of copyrighted music without GEMA membership) gets wind of this, you could face high additional payments, claims for damages and, in serious cases, even criminal prosecution. GEMA is known for carrying out regular checks.
If you want absolute security and at the same time the opportunity to drastically reduce GEMA costs, a professional GEMA service like that of sonicsense the best choice. With over 35 years of experience, we ensure correct licensing and maximum savings.
Find the right music for every industry
Choosing the right music depends heavily on your target group and your concept. A professional music service offers you fully curated programmes that are perfectly tailored to the needs of different industries.
| Industry | Typical music selection (GEMA-free) | Atmospheric destination |
|---|---|---|
| Retail & Fashion | Modern Pop, Electro Lounge, Indie | Create incentives to buy, strengthen brand image |
| Gastronomy & Cafés | Jazz, soul, singer-songwriter, chillout | Increase dwell time, feel-good atmosphere |
| Hotel industry | Gentle lounge (lobby), classic (restaurant), chillout (spa) | Conveying exclusivity and relaxation |
| Fitness & Wellness | Up-tempo dance (courses), ambient & nature sounds (spa) | Promote motivation, support recovery |
Browse through our industry-specific music programmes and find the perfect sound for your company with audio samples.
Conclusion: GEMA-free music as a strategic advantage
Recognised GEMA-free music is far more than just a stopgap solution. It is a strategic decision for cost control, legal certainty and an atmosphere perfectly tailored to your brand. While public domain classics offer a timeless elegance, modern production music covers all stylistic wishes in the highest quality. Instead of struggling through the licence jungle yourself, professional partners like sonicsense offer a turnkey solution - from music selection and technology to legally compliant certification. This turns music from a cost factor into a measurable success factor for your business.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is GEMA-free music really completely legal for your business?
Yes, absolutely. The prerequisite is that you obtain the music from a reputable provider who grants you a licence for public reproduction. sonicsense will issue you with an official certificate confirming that the music channels used are GEMA-free and protecting you from unauthorised claims.
Doesn't GEMA-free music sound cheap or like lift music?
This prejudice is long outdated. Professional GEMA-free music is created by internationally active musicians and producers in state-of-the-art studios. The level of quality is absolutely comparable to commercial productions. Our more than 33 GEMA-free channels cover all modern genres and are curated by music experts.
Can you mix GEMA-free and GEMA-required music?
Yes, that is possible. As soon as you play even one title that is subject to GEMA, you must purchase a licence from GEMA. Professional systems such as our sonicPRO music server enable the parallel use of both repertoires. We support you with our GEMA service and help you to achieve discounts of up to 40 % through framework agreements.
What is the difference between GEMA-free and licence-free?
This is an important difference. „Royalty-free“ is misleading because you need a licence, i.e. a right of use, for almost every use of music. „GEMA-free“ simply means that the licence is not issued by GEMA. Instead, you acquire the licence directly from the rights holder or a provider such as sonicsense.
How do you know for sure whether a song is subject to GEMA?
Theoretically, you can search GEMA's online database. However, this is extremely time-consuming and error-prone for a company. The safest way is to rely on a service provider who takes care of the legal clarification for you and contractually guarantees that its music catalogues are GEMA-free. If you have any questions about this, you can contact us at any time Contact us.
